Extractor hood comprising a locking device for a planar element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing extractor hood locking devices are ergonomically disadvantageous, making it difficult to securely attach and detach heavy surface elements like grease filters and fume deflectors, leading to a risk of accidental falling and damage.
Innovation Solution
A locking device with a guide extension and insertion opening system that aligns the surface element precisely before latching, using a push-push mechanism to ensure secure engagement and prevent unintentional detachment, combined with a bearing point to control pivoting and prevent uncontrolled movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional locking device with latch and spring is used, then the surface element can be locked to the housing, but it becomes ergonomically disadvantageous and difficult to position precisely when the surface element is heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The guide extension performs preliminary alignment of the surface element with the housing before the locking action occurs. The guide extension protruding from the closure engages with the insertion opening in the housing, establishing precise positional alignment in advance, so that when the surface element is moved into the locked position, the latching element is already correctly positioned relative to the closure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the surface element is made heavy (combination of vapor deflector and grease filter), then it provides better functionality, but it becomes difficult to position precisely and risks falling down
Solution Approach 1:
The guide extension acts as an intermediary element between the surface element and the housing. It provides a guiding and aligning function that facilitates the attachment of heavy surface elements, ensuring they are precisely positioned and securely locked, thereby preventing accidental detachment while maintaining the functional benefits of the heavy construction.
3Device complexity
If the latching element and closure are positioned without guide extensions, then the device is simpler, but alignment is imprecise leading to unintentional loosening
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is segmented into distinct functional components: the guide extension for alignment, the latching element for locking, and the closure for engagement. The guide extension is formed as a separate protruding element from the closure, allowing it to perform its alignment function independently before the locking action occurs, thereby ensuring precise positioning without complicating the overall device structure.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The hood has a planar element (2) e.g. fat filter and steam guide plate, arranged in a suction opening of a housing (3). A locking device (8) i.e. push-push device, fixes the planar element at the housing in an operating position. The locking device includes a catch element (17) inserted into a closure (16), and a guide extension (18) inserted into a guide opening (19). The guide extension extends in a direction of the guide opening as the catch element in a direction of the closure. The locking device is arranged at a distance to a bearing surface for the planar element. The catch element and the guide extension are made of plastic.